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Persistent Microplastics in Ecosystem: The Role of Microalgae-Microplastic Interactions
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This review examines interactions between microalgae and microplastics in aquatic environments, focusing on how algae can adsorb, ingest, and respond to plastic particles, and how these interactions affect microplastic persistence and transport. Microalgae form the base of aquatic food webs, so their uptake of microplastics initiates the trophic transfer chain that ultimately delivers plastic particles and associated chemical contaminants to human consumers through seafood.
Plastic pollution is an emerging global concern. The rise in use and lack of better recycling management of plastic result in its accumulation in water bodies and lands and hence also affects the organisms at each trophic level. The long-term persistence of plastics...
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Algae-microplastics interactions and their significance in combating aquatic plastic pollution
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Researchers review how algae interact with microplastics in aquatic environments, examining both the harmful effects on algae and the potential to harness algal biological properties for eco-friendly microplastic removal, toxicity mitigation, and repurposing of plastic particles.
Microplastics and freshwater microalgae: what do we know so far?
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A review of 20 studies found that microplastics inhibit freshwater microalgae growth, reduce photosynthetic activity, alter pigment profiles, and induce oxidative stress, with effects varying by plastic shape, size, concentration, and exposure duration. Because microalgae form the base of aquatic food webs, microplastic-driven disruption of algal communities could have cascading effects on freshwater ecosystem health.
Microplastics in the Marine Ecosystems: Identification and Impacts
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Tiny plastic particles called microplastics, broken-down bits of everyday plastic waste, are showing up along India's coastlines, and this review paper rounds up what scientists have found so far. While research on their health effects is still catching up, these particles are known to persist in the environment and can enter the food chain through seafood, raising concerns about long-term exposure for coastal communities. The authors point out that India still needs a lot more research to fully understand how serious this problem is and what it means for people's health.
Marine Microplastics: Abundance, Ecotoxic Consequences of Associated Anthropogenic Contaminants and Interactions with Microorganisms
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Researchers reviewed the rapid growth of microplastic pollution in the ocean, highlighting how these particles accumulate toxic chemicals and interact with microorganisms in ways that amplify their ecological harm. As plastic production continues to rise, the marine food web faces increasing exposure to contaminated microplastics that can ultimately reach humans through seafood.
Microplastic Fate and Impacts in the Environment
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Microplastic pollution has been documented across virtually every ecosystem on Earth, from sea surfaces to deep sediments, polar regions to tropical rivers, and inside a wide range of organisms spanning multiple trophic levels. This comprehensive environmental presence confirms that microplastics pose systemic risks to biodiversity and human health through multiple exposure pathways.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.